Trainer Peter Moody described the upset win of Reward For Effort as mind blowing after the colt raced away with the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.Moody and Dean Watt of Dynamic Syndications went to the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and paid $190,000 for the colt by Exceed And Excel from Rory's Jester mare Miss Prospect."It's mind blowing actually. Realistically we went into it open minded," Moody said."We thought we could beat the fillies but we thought Real Saga had the wood on

Trainer Peter Moody described the upset win of Reward For Effort as mind blowing after the colt raced away with the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

Moody and Dean Watt of Dynamic Syndications went to the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and paid $190,000 for the colt by Exceed And Excel from Rory's Jester mare Miss Prospect.

"It's mind blowing actually. Realistically we went into it open minded," Moody said.

"We thought we could beat the fillies but we thought Real Saga had the wood on us, but we've improved a little bit and he has obviously lost a little bit.

"Luke (Nolen) took up the initiative. We thought we'd put the pressure on.

"The horse had improved. We doubted he'd improved enough but we're happy to be wrong."

Reward For Effort's victory was a triumph for Victorian breeder David Moodie whose Contract Racing bred him.

The colt returned to a raucous reception from his numerous excited syndicate members including Queenslander Bill Mumford who raced the colt's half-brother Consular.

"They are a great team of owners," Moody said.

Moody who hails from Charleville in Queensland and won the Victoria Derby with Amalfi in 2001, said it was a great day for the outback town as jockey Ken Pope, who grew up with him, landed his first Group One win on Swiss Ace in the Oakleigh Plate.

Nolen had Reward For Effort ($16) travelling third behind Corsaire and rank outsider Perikon until he burst clear in the straight.

Real Saga (3.20), who settled 11th of the 13 runners, looked too far back to win coming to the home turn but he stormed home to finish 1-1/4 lengths from the winner.

Dwayne Dunn, trying to maintain his unbeaten record in the race after four successive wins over the past four years, was again in the finish on the filly Maka Ena ($21) who came from 10th to be 2-1/4 lengths away third.

"He gave a good kick and knows where the post is," said Nolen who added the victory to his Caulfield Guineas success aboard Wonderful World and his Cox Plate victory on El Segundo.

Quick Blush ($41) was fourth with the $2.70 favourite Rostova finishing fifth after having a good run in sixth place throughout.

"She had every chance but just wasn't good enough on the day," trainer Steve Richards said of Rostova.

"We've had a good run with her but we'll put her out now and bring her back for the spring."

Jockey Steven King said the filly was simply disappointing.

Damien Oliver said Reward For Effort got too big a break on Real Saga on the home turn.

"He hit a flat spot on the turn, he finished off amazing," he said.

Dunn said the wide draw (barrier 12) didn't help Maka Ena.

"But nothing would have beaten the winner," he said.